Emergency Management Specialist

Metropolitan Council
$93,704.00 - $152,068.80 Annually
medical insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, vision insurance, retirement plan, pension
United States, Minnesota, Minneapolis
Jan 24, 2025
WHO WE ARE We are the Metropolitan Council, the regional government for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. We plan 30 years ahead for the future of the metropolitan area and provide regional transportation, wastewater, and housing services. More information about us on our website. We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. Metro Transit is one of the country's largest transit systems that employs more than 3,000 people, and prior to COVID-19, provided more than 80 million rides a year through an integrated network of buses, light rail and commuter trains, as well as resources for those who carpool, vanpool, walk or bike in the Twin Cities. How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region: The Emergency Management Specialist will be responsible for developing, updating and/or providing input to Metro Transit-focused emergency plans, serve as a contact in coordinating HSEM/FEMA and other emergency responses, coordinate initiatives and after-actions, design and coordinate emergency preparedness drills and training, and helps coordinate Emergency Operations Centers. The individual in this position will perform these functions with an emphasis on Metro Transit and transportation functions while also coordinating with and supporting initiatives involving other Met Council divisions as needed and directed. The position reports to the Chief Operating Officer with dotted line relationships to the Director, Bus and Rail Safety and the Metro Transit Police Department. Note: Candidate's permanent residence must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin. This position requires the ability to work non-standard hours and change scheduled days off and assignments on short notice. What you would do in this job 1. Emergency Management Response Plan (EMRP) Development and Administration: Develop comprehensive emergency management and response plans focusing on Metro Transit. These plans will meet and exceed the federal regulatory minimum requirements under: Federal Transit Administration, Department of Homeland Security (National Incident Management System and Incident Command System), Federal Railroad Administration, and other regulatory and standards bodies such as the American Public Transit Association (APTA). Develop, review, and maintain all manner of policies, plans, and SOPs relating to emergency management. Develop and disseminate Security & Emergency Action Plans for all key Metro Transit facilities using established templates in coordination with System Safety partners. Coordinate, support, and facilitate critical incident or event After Action reviews as needed. This includes maintaining proper documentation and improvement action tracking. 2. EMRP - Management Oversight: Remain on call 24/7 to receive and address calls and notifications relating to emergencies and other incidents; responds to and coordinates response to emergencies, requests, and other situations as appropriate. This may include directing department personnel in the absence of the Chief Operating Officer (or designee). Assist with the Metro Transit Emergency Operations Center in coordination with Control Center Managers. This includes preparing and supporting these spaces as needed in advance of, during, and following an emergency. Work with Chief Operating Officer to identify, communicate, and track budget needs and approve invoices pertaining to Metro Transit emergency management initiatives. Perform emergency management response duties as assigned by the Chief Operating Officer, Director of Safety, Chief of Metro Transit Police (or designee), the Deputy Chief Operating Officers and Directors in Metro Transit Operations. 3. EMRP - Internal Departments Training, Support and Coordination: Coordinate, establish strong working relationships with, and serve as an emergency management resource to various Metro Transit departments, in particular Rail Operations, Bus Operations, Commuter Rail Operations, Safety, Engineering & Facilities Maintenance, Transit Police and others. Support and assist in the development and delivery of the Metro Transit Security Awareness and Emergency Preparedness Employee Training (SAEPET); ensure relevance and sustained delivery to all Metro Transit employees. Attend and represent the Emergency Management discipline at meetings pertaining to Metro Transit safety and emergency management incidents and initiatives, such as Fire Life Safety meetings. Utilize staff from across the agency to assist with EMRP initiatives and projects, as needed. Training and educating emergency response teams and the public on emergency preparedness and response strategies. 4. Emergency Management Response Plan Representative - External Agencies and Stakeholder Coordination Work closely with external partner agencies to advance Metro Transit emergency planning and preparedness, including the Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEM) and other officials with local, state, and federal law enforcement, fire, transportation, security, operations, facilities, or similar organizations. Work with applicable stakeholders to design, conduct, and evaluate HSEEP-based drills and exercises (discussion-based or operational) in support of Metro Transit (or the Metropolitan Council) regulatory requirements and operational needs. Support the Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management agency (HSEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through participation in applicable emergency planning activities as well as involvement with incident and emergency coordination. Represent the interests of Emergency Management in meetings involving other departments, other agencies, and elsewhere as needed and as directed, including staff meetings, special event planning, briefings, and more. What education and experience are required for this job (minimum qualifications) Any of the following combinations of experience in emergency management coordination including developing plans, procedures, and training programs for a local, State, or federal government emergency management program; operations plan development, risk assessments, operations and disaster recovery plan testing, relationship development and management, FEMA's National Incident Management System and completed degree in emergency management, transportation, safety, public safety, business, information management, or related field: High school diploma/GED with nine (9) years of experience Associate degree with seven (7) years of experience Bachelor's degree or higher with five (5) years of experience What additional skills and experience would be helpful in this job (desired qualifications): NIMS and FEMA Emergency Planning Training certification Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) certification Ability to promote and support an equitable, positive, and respectful work environment that values cultural diversity among all employees What knowledge, skills and abilities you should have within the first six months on the job: Knowledge of: Working knowledge of and training in the National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) framework and process. Working knowledge of all areas of the Metro Transit, and the ability to develop a clear understanding of its key services, processes, resources, and inter-dependences. Knowledge of organization and operations of various government agencies involved in transportation disaster preparedness. Familiarity with grant budgets and program projects development and implementation. Experience developing plans, policies, procedures, and instructions for emergency management systems. Skills in: Plans, organizes, directs, coordinates, and evaluates the activities of a program providing transit emergency management response. Organizes appropriate ad-hoc groups to strategize, implement & evaluate interventions. Exceptional oral and written communications skills and experience; Microsoft Office Suit - Word, Excel, Power-Point, Visio, Outlook SharePoint. Effectively prioritizes work and meets established deadlines. Collaborates with other public and private agencies to meet needs as they relate to transportation preparation. Exchange information with internal and external partners and assure cooperation in achieving the goals of the agency. Ability to: Ability to provide leadership and guidance across multiple organizations and stakeholders. Ability to identify critical organizational inter-dependences and reliance for purposes of mitigating continuity of service vulnerabilities and for developing recoverability throughout the organization. Collaborates with other public and private agencies to meet needs as they relate to transportation preparation. Exchange information with internal and external partners and assure cooperation in achieving the goals of the agency. Strong human relations skills to interface with leaders, managers, and professionals at all levels within the organization and to communicate with Met Council stakeholders and vendors. What you can expect from us: We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area. We encourage our employees to develop their skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement. We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits and a good work/life balance. More about why you should join us! Additional information Union/Grade: Non-Represented/Grade I FLSA Status: Exempt Safety Sensitive: No What your work environment would be: Position works in an office environment. Ability to work non-standard hours, be required to change scheduled days off and assignments on short notice. Some travel to other facilities is required. Up to one third of the time this position works near moving parts or equipment, exposed to fumes or airborne particles, outdoor weather conditions and moderate noise. What steps the recruitment process involves: 1. We review your minimum qualifications. 2. We rate your education and experience. 3. We conduct a structured panel interview. 4. We conduct a selection interview. Once you have successfully completed the steps above, then: If you are new to the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test (safety sensitive positions only), and a background check which verifies education, employment, and criminal history. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the job. If you have a criminal conviction, you do not automatically fail. The Metropolitan Council considers felony, gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor convictions on a case-by-case basis, based on whether they are related to the job and whether the candidate has demonstrated adequate rehabilitation. If you are already an employee of the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test (if moving from a non-safety sensitive position to a safety sensitive position) and criminal background check if the job you're applying for is safety sensitive, is a supervisory or management job, is in the Finance, Information Services, Audit, or Human Resources departments, or has access to financial records, files/databases, cash, vouchers or transit fare cards. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the position. This position involves access to Criminal Justice Information (CJI) as defined by the FBI CJIS (Criminal Justice Information Services) Security Policy. In accordance with section 5.12.1.1 of the FBI Security Policy, all applicants must agree to a state of residence and national fingerprint-based record check. If the result of the record check reveals criminal convictions, the nature and circumstances of those convictions will be reviewed by the Metropolitan Transit Police Department and/or the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to determine if access to Criminal Justice Information will be permissible. If it is determined that access to Criminal Justice Information would not be permissible, the candidate will no longer be considered for the position. IMPORTANT: If you make a false statement or withhold information, you may be barred from job consideration. The Metropolitan Council is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and veteran-friendly employer. The Council is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the region and strongly encourages persons of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. If you have a disability that requires accommodation during the selection process, please email HR-OCCHealth@metc.state.mn.us .